Washboard



(No Model.)

. W. H. OSMER.

WASHBOARD.

Patenjzed Oct. 12, 1897.

No, 591,684. 2W

THE norms misvwn mmo-umo, wnsumaron. w. a

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. OSMER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

WASHBOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 591,684, dated October 12, 1897.

Application filed May 13, 1896. Serial No. 591,435. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. OSMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful IVashboard, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to washboards, and especially to a class having hollow or tubular metallic side rails; and its objects are, first, to provide a washboard with metallic side rails so formed and constructed as to be conveniently and firmly secured to the lateral edges of the body or cross-connecting portion of the washboard without the use of exposed fastening devices; second, to provide a holder for securing metallic side rails firmly to the lateral edges of the body or cross-connecting portion of the washboard in a manner that will effectually prevent the twisting of the side rail when in position; third, to provide the said hollow metallic side rails with a metallic side or cheek plate so constructed as to be conveniently and firmly secured to the inside of the side rail and to extend from the foot of the side rail upwardly to a vertically tenoned connection with the lateral edge of the lower end of the body or cross-connecting portion for the purpose of preventing the longitudinal opening-space in the side rail from spreading; fourth, to provide the two upper corners of a washboard-frame with an interlocking fastening-clip to prevent the separation of the joints, and, fifth, to provide hollow or tubular metallic side rails of washboards with a perforated cap to obviate filling with water or corrosion and to allow drainage and ventilation of the side rails.

To enable others skilled in the art to which myinvention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the washboard. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the washboard on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the washboard on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the washboard on line 4 4 of Fig. 1, showing two plans of constructing and applying the holder,also the fastening-indentations as created in side and bottom of the side rail.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the side rail on line 5 5 of Fig. 1, showing the application of a metallic side or cheek plate. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the perforated cap used for covering the 'end of the side rails. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of one of the upper corners of the washboard-frame, showing an application of the interlocking fastening-clip. Fig.8 is a horizontal section of the washboard, showing a modified form of side rail to be used when the body or'crossconnecting portion has two metallic surfaces and an intervening wood portion, also the application of the holder. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section of a washboard, showing the construction and arrangement of the side rail and holder to be used as a double washboard or one having two rubbing-surfaces. Fig. 10 is a horizontal section of a washboard, showing the'specific application of the holder upon theinturned lip or terminal edge of the metallic side rail, the preferred form of the holder being shown in Figs. 4:, 8, and 9. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a lower corner joint of my improved washboard,with the top of the side rail broken away to show the position of the cheek-plate as secured in the vertically-tenoned lateral edge of the lower-end of the body or crossconnecting portion. Fig. 12 is a section ofa double washboard, made of heavy sheet-zinc,

without a backboard.

Similar figures of reference indicate similar parts throughout'the several views.

1 represents the corrugated rubbing-zinc of the washboard, applied in the usual manner and resting upon the backboard 2. In case a double washboard is desired two rubbingzincs may be applied, as shown in Fig. 9, or a corrugated zinc rubbing portion of sufficient thickness and strength in itself without the backboard 2 may be used as a double washboard, in which event the metallic side rails would be applied and secured as shown in Fig. 12.

3 represents the tubular metallic side rail constructed with a curved top'portion adapted to fold over the lateral edges of the upper surface of the washboard and terminate in a reverse inturned terminal lip 4, designed to rest and be held upon the lateral edges of the surface of the cross-connecting portion by a horizontally grooved or flanged holder, a flat 3 is a modification of the tubular metallic side rail in continuous curved form terminating at its upper and lower edges with the flat inturned lip 4.

3' is a modification of the tubular metallic side rail in circular form with its upper and lower edges brought close enough together to rest upon the lateral edges of a corrugated metallic cross-connecting portion comprising two rubbing-surfaces and constituting a double washboard. Where the bottom of the side rail rests flat upon the portion it covers, an indentation or puncture 21 is made in the side rail, which by pressing the metal into the parts contiguous thereto serves to hold the parts firmly together, as shown in Figs. 4 and 10. This indentation is designed to be used on the side rail, as shown in Figs. 4; and 10, whenever desired, without reference to the manner in which any other portion of the side rail is finished or fastened.

The holder (shown in Figs. 4, 8, 9, and 12 and marked 5 and 20) is designed to be placed under the curved housing formed in the side rail and to extend over and rest upon the inturned terminal edge or plate 4 of the side rail in such manner as to hold the said inturned edge or plate 4 firmly to the surface upon which it rests, the effect of which is to prevent the side rail from twisting or workin goff the lateral edges of the washboard, as above stated. The holder is shown in a preferred form, as at 5, Figs. 4, 8, and 9. At 20, Fig. 10, a modified form of the holder is shown in the application of a metallic plate. In both instances the holder is fastened to the cross-connecting part by a tack, nail, or similar fastening device.

It will be observed that in constructing the side rail of sheet metal with the inturned terminal lip or plate to rest upon the surface of the edges of the washboard and then securing the plate or edge down to this surface by means of the holder extending over and bearing upon said plate or edge, as shown, the holder being housed or covered and protected against contact with articles being washed upon the washboard affords a protection not embodied in ordinary washboards, as well as a novel and cheap method of constructing a strong and durable washboard.

8 represents the top cross-piece, which is secured to the metallic side rails by the wire clip 9, formed with an eye at its upper end and a hook 10 at its lower end, the hook being driven into the metallic side rail, the eye folded over and upon the top cross-piece S and securely fastened in place by the nail 11, which is driven through the eye, the top cross-piece, and into the upper end of the side rail, thus making a joint thatwill hold firmly together. I

6 represents the soappocket,hav1ng the sheet-metal back 7 applied and secured in place, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 7, or in any other similar and suitable manner.

12 represents the top and bottom fenders, which protectthe edges of the rubbing-board 1, and may be of wood or sheet metal separate from or integral with the rubbing-board l.

13 shows the construction of the lower end of the side rail, being the part extending below the body or cross-connecting portion of the washboard. The preferred method of constructing and applying plate 14 is shown in Figs. 5 and 11, in which case the plate 1s formed to fit over the terminal plate 4E of the side rail 3 and extend down the outside and partly around the bottom portion of the side rail, the upper end being secured in the vertical groove 16, which is cut in the bottom fender 12, the lower end being held in place" by the cap 15, which fits over it. By thus constructing the ends of tubular metallic side rails of washboards the tendency to spread or open under pressure of usage is obviated. The object of perforating the cap 15 is to allow the drainage of water that may run in while in use and afford means of ventilating the hollow space in the side rails by allowing a free circulation of air about the joints, thus preventing rot or corrosion of the rubbing-zinc, therebyprolonging the durability of the washboard.

It will be observed that while my present invention embodies novelty and merit,

in the construction, durability, and cheapexact form of constructing the said holder so long as it constitutes in effect an equivalent of the preferred or modified forms herein set forth.

7 Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The washboard herein shown and described, comprising the tubular metallic side rails, having a flat inturned terminal lip, a rubbing portion havinga bead secured along the surface of the lateral edges thereof, horizontally grooved to form an interlocking tenon along its inner edge contiguous to the rubbing-surface, to receive the inturned terminal lip of the side rail, the soap-tray suitably secured to theside rails above the rubbing portion and the top cross-piece connecting the upper ends of the side rails, all arranged, applied and operating, substantially as shown and described.

2. The washboard herein shown and described, comprising the tubular metallic side rails, having a fiat inturned terminal lip, a

10 cheek-plate arranged to cover the open slot between the bottorn fender 12, and the end of the side rail, its upper end being held in the vertical groove 16, With its top edge fastened to the terminal lip of the side rail all substantially as shown and set forth.

WILLIAM H. OSMER.

Witnesses:

CHAS. GUNDLAOH, FRED. BOYER. 

